Bottle-cap lifter



Dec. 31, 1929. c. w. HALISEY I 1,741,294

BOTTLE CAP LIFTER Filed Oct. 15, 1928 Patented Dec. 31, 1929 UNITED STA CHARLES W. HALSEY, F EVAN SVILLE, INDIANA BOTTLE-CAP LIFTER Application filed October 15, 1928. Serial No. 312,629.

This invention relates to that general class of devices which are known as cap removers or lifters, intended to be used for removing caps or tops of glasses or containers for preserves, peanut butter and other edibles or the crimped cap from a bottle.

The invention comprises, first, an improved lifter which may be used alone as, for instance, when attached to a counter or table or other fixed object; second, the improved combination of the lifter and an ice pick, or other elongated implement to which the lifter may be attached and, when thus attached, will automatically clamp itself on the ice pick or other implement, enabling leverage of the handle of the pick or other object to be employed when operating the lifter and removing the cap from a bottle; third, an improved lifter which is so constructed that it may be separately manufactured and subsequently applied to any ice pick or similar implement to convert the pick or implement into a compound tool having, in addition to its usual function, the added function of a cap or top liter or remover.

A practical embodiment is set forth hereinafter and is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1, is a view showing the lifter applied to an ice pick, certain parts being in section, and illustrating the manner of use therewith when removing the crimped cap from a bottle;

Fig. 2, is a view showing the lifter attached to an object and used alone;

Fig. 8, is a cross section on the line 33, Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4c, is a alone.

An ordinary ice pick is illustrated, the handle being shown at 1 and the steel pick at 2.

My improved cap lifter or remover is shown, generally, at 3.

While I have illustrated an ordinary ice pick, it is to be understood that any implement, whether round or polygonal in cross sectional shape, may be combined with the device 8 and I do not, therefore, limit the invention to use in connection with an ice pick except where so stated in the claim.

bottom edge view of the lifter ice pick or The invention embodies, first, the improved lifter 3 when used alone as shown in Fig. 2; second, the combination of a cap lifter with an ice pick or other implement, as shown in Fig. 1; third, the general combination of an. similar implement with a cap lifter wherein the cap lifter is combined with the shank of the ice pick or implement so that it is held thereon by the inherent resiliency of the cap lifter.

The cap lifter is made from a single piece of stiff, and yet slightly resilient, flat metal, bent" so as to form the clamping parts 4:, 5, 6, the two latter parts being connected by a bridge 7 and having holes 8 to receive the pick or shank 2. The lower end of the part 6 is inturned at 9 and there provided with an arc shape thinned edge or jaw 10, which is adapted to engage under the crimped edge of a bottle cap or under the edge of the top or cap for a container for preserves, peanut butter or other edible.

The bend 11 joining the parts 4 and 5, is

rounded and serves as a fulcrum to rest upon the cap which is to be lifted as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The bridge 7 connecting the parts 5 and 6 preferably is provided with a hole 12, enabling a screw or nail to be driven there through if it is desiredto permanently fasten the cap lifter 3 to the edge of acounter, table, or other place where caps are frequently removed from, bottles as, for instance, at a soft drink counter.

Therefore, as shown in Fig. 2, the device 3 may be used alone and without being combined with an ice pick. When thus used, the fulcrum 11 will still serve as a fulcrum for the cap, and the thinned curved edge 10 will be adapted to engage the edge of the cap, the bottle being held in the hand and the leverage thereof utilized to remove the cap.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the lifter 3 is intended to be combined with the shank or pick 2 and to remain thereon snugly up against the ferrule at the end of handle 1 so that the user has a combined ice pick and cap lifter, constituting a simple and handy compound tool for use wherever such tool may be advantageously employed.

, When the cap lifter is thus combined with the shank or pick 2, the margins of the holes 8 are made to engage the shank 2 by reason of the free end of the clamping part 4 then pressing tightly against the part 2, slight inherent resiliency of the device 3 enabling this clamping action to be effected, the lifter being snugly up against the ferrule of handle 2.

An ice pick tapers from its point to its manipulative end; consequently, the holes 8 will be sufliciently large, and the end 13 properly disposed in relation thereto so that the device may be easily slid over the ice pick for a part of the length thereof and then the greater diameter of the pick 2 being encountered, the

aforesaid clamping action will result.

Preferably, the part 6 is given the canted or bent form shown to afford the requisite ac tion.

The engagement of the end 13 with the pick 2 stilfens the fulcrum l1 and the parts mutually reinforce and stiffen each other because I of the engagement of the margins of holes 8 with the pick 2 on the opposite side thereof from the point where the end 13 engages'the pick. The abutment of the part 6 against the ferrule of handle 1 reinforces the said part 6 and adds stiffness and strength to the entire device.

WVhile I have illustrated the use of the device in connection with a crimped bottle cap, it is to be understood that this is only one of the uses to which the invention may be put, as it finds particular usefulness as a lifter for the tops and caps of hermetically sealed jars, glasses, and other containers for preserves, peanut butter, and other edibles.

What I claim is:

The combination with an implement, of a cap lifter comprising three connected clamping members, two of which have holes to receive the implement, the third member also bearing against the implement and causing the margins of the said holes to frictionally engage the said implement to hold the cap lifter thereon.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

CHARLES WV. HALSEY. 

